News Release

Tuesday, March 14, 2000

Baby Reunited with Mother after Father Arrested

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 14, 2000

"Baby Reunited with Mother after Father Arrested"

Los Angeles - On Friday, March 10, 2000, at approximately 8:15 PM, 77th Street Officers were approached by a couple carrying a 9 to 12 month old female baby. The couple told the officers they had heard the baby screaming and ultimately found her lying on the steps of 52nd Street Elementary School, 816 W. 51st Street. The baby appeared to be abandoned.

Officers conducted a comprehensive search of the area around the school in an effort to locate the identity of the parents or relatives of the found child. The search, however, did not reveal any strollers, carriers, or diaper bags that would assist in the investigation or the identity of the child.

LAPD personnel took custody of the baby and continued their investigation. The couple who found the baby were contacted and re-interviewed by detectives.

This re-interview revealed the true sequence of events that had occurred.

On March 10, the young couple were riding an MTA bus when the father of the baby became involved in an altercation with the bus driver. The father, knowing he was going to be arrested, gave the couple the child with instructions to deliver her to the child's mother. The father never informed the arresting officers he had a baby.

The couple attempted to deliver the baby at the address the man had given them. But when they failed to locate the mother, they panicked and came up with the story of having found the baby.

The baby, identified as baby Michelle, was ultimately reunited with her mother. The baby was not harmed nor was she placed in danger at any time. No arrests were made.